LAUSANNE, Switzerland, CMC- Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson have been cleared to compete again pending the outcome of their doping appeals.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday upheld the application for a stay of the execution of the 18-month suspensions imposed on Powell and Simpson by Jamaica’s anti-doping disciplinary panel.
“The athletes are free to compete from now on but may have to serve the remaining part of their ban later if the sanction is eventually confirmed by CAS,” the court said in a statement.
Powell, a former world record-holder in the 100 meters, and three-time Olympic medalist Simpson tested positive for Oxilofrine at Jamaica’s national trials last June.
The Jamaican panel announced the 18-month sanctions in April, with the start of the suspensions backdated to June 21, 2013.
Both runners appealed to CAS, contending the offense was “minor” and asked for the suspensions to be cut to three months.
